VCS Names V3A Principal, EC Director

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Vance County Schools announced Thursday the appointment of two educators in leadership roles, one a VCS veteran and the other who is new to the school district.

Dr. Jessica Perry was named principal of Vance Virtual Village Academy after serving as interim principal of V3A since August 2020. Natashalyn Snipes was selected as director of exceptional children, effective July 1, 2021.

Perry is a familiar face to Vance County Schools. “With over 20 years of educational experience as a teacher, administrator and district leader, we are certain Dr. Perry will propel V3A into an innovative opportunity that personalizes education for every student,” according to a statement from Aarika Sandlin, VCS public information officer.  Perry graduated from N.C. State University with a degree in business and marketing education. She has a master’s degree in educational leadership from

Wheeling Jesuit University and a doctorate in education and educational leadership from Gardner-Webb University. In a written statement to WIZS News, Perry said, “I am looking forward to assisting students in gaining access and opportunities with anytime, anywhere teaching and learning.”

Snipes will take over upon the retirement of Dr. Gloria Jones. She has been a teacher, school leader, EC facilitator, and most recently, was the director of exceptional children, student services and preschool at Weldon City Schools, Sandlin said.

Snipes graduated from UNC-CH with a degree in psychology and got her master’s degree in arts and teaching in special education and a master’s in school administration from N.C. Central University. She is currently a doctoral candidate in education leadership at UNC-CH. “Snipes is a transformational leader committed to developing instructional programs that will meet the educational and behavioral needs of all students,” Sandlin said.

VGCC Logo

VGCC Joins #CCMonth Celebration

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Vance-Granville Community College added its name to the list of community colleges across the country to participate in #CCMonth, a month-long campaign to raise awareness about advantages of attending a community college and how they influence economies, academics and equity.

The campaign, coordinated by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), coincides with April’s designation as Community College Month. It’s a way to showcase that public community colleges are “a uniquely American educational model that was designed to guarantee access to affordable, high-quality higher education for all people,” according to a press release from VGCC’s Director of Communications Chris LaRocca. From nursing programs to trade certifications, community colleges “also serve as an onramp to bachelor’s, master’s and higher-level degrees for many students, and particularly for the most demographically and socioeconomically diverse students,” he stated.

Community college can accommodate adult students who work and go to school at the same time, and also make education accessible for many students who otherwise would not be able to access higher education.

“Community colleges are engines of diversity, equity and inclusion,” said ACCT President and CEO J. Noah Brown. “They give opportunities to all students, and they support all students throughout their educations, whether they attend to attain an associate degree or certificate, intend to transfer on for a bachelor’s or higher degree, or they take one or a few courses to learn a new skill or expand their horizons.”

The campaign is expected to have strong participation from community colleges and their supporters throughout the country.

NC Dept of Agriculture

COVID-19 Fund Helps Offset Quarantine Costs of H2A Workers

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Local farmers who employ H2A farmworkers can apply for some financial relief if any of those workers have to quarantine during the 2021 growing season.

N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said Wednesday that his department has $2 million of federal COVID-19 funds that can be used to offset quarantine expenses.

“Farmworkers have always been critical to agriculture, but the pandemic has shown how essential a healthy workforce is to agriculture and our food supply,” Troxler said. “While it is a priority for all farmworkers to get vaccinated, this program will enable employers to safely quarantine workers who test positive for COVID-19 and hopefully minimize spread to their coworkers and others.” 

Under this program, employers that have farmworkers with valid H2A visas will be eligible for reimbursement of the cost of meals and lodging for the duration of the quarantine period, not to exceed the per diem rates for federal employees.  The employer on record for the farmworker with a valid H2A visa may submit reimbursement request on behalf of any farmworker requiring to be quarantined following a positive test for COVID-19, provided the employer covered the initial eligible expenses out-of-pocket on behalf of the farmworker. The program will be for expenses incurred from March 11, 2021 through the 2021 growing season.

The application period will open on April 14 and will continue through Dec. 15, 2021 or until program funds are exhausted. These funds are provided through CARES Act funding and subject to any changes to the federal legislation.  

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in serious and substantial impacts on the food supply chain, including migrant farm labor in North Carolina. The H2A program is a critical component in planting and harvesting of North Carolina commodities. This program will help offset the financial burden of quarantine accommodations for workers that test positive for COVID-19 in off-site locations.

Details regarding the NCDA&CS COVID-19 Farmworker Quarantine Reimbursement Program will be available at http://www.ncagr.gov/QuarantineReimbursementProgram.htm.  Please contact H2Acovidprogram2021@ncagr.gov with any questions regarding this program.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville School Board Work Session April 19 To Review Budget, Get Task Force Update

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The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a work session on Monday, April 19, 2021 at the Mary Potter Center of Education. The board is expected to receive and approve the 2021/2022 budget proposal that will be presented to county commissioners and hear a task force update related to further school consolidation.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. To join the livestream meeting, please use the following link: https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj. Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting will be required to wear face coverings, undergo health screenings before entering the building, and cooperate with social distancing requirements. There will be limited seating available. The Mary Potter Center of Education is located at 200 Taylor St. in Oxford.

Board Chair David Richardson convened a strategic task force last year to navigate the process of increasing efficiency of current facilities. Dr. Stan Winborne, GCPS public information officer and assistant superintendent of operations & human resources, said more details should be available in the next couple of months and perhaps a decision about school mergers or closings could come in the summer.

“The board of education realizes that we have a problem with empty classrooms. We’ve got more space than we do students and so they’re trying to increase our operational efficiency with our facilities,” Winborne told WIZS News.

The board of education held a joint meeting with county commissioners on Mar. 29 to discuss the issue, which included a $ 23-30 million proposal for construction and renovation at Hawley Middle School in Creedmoor.

Winborne said both boards have the basic information needed to continue the decision-making process.

“The real obstacle is trying to find the best solution for children – that we can afford,” he said.

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TownTalk 4-15-21; Traffic, Pedestrians plus Baseball Umpiring

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Thank you for listening to WIZS Radio. Your Community Voice!

TownTalk for 4-15-21

I-85 weird interchanges at all three major exits in Henderson.

Pedestrian dangers.

Plus, a special guest baseball umpire.

Broadcast Audio for TownTalk 4-15-21

The Local Skinny! April 15; Small Biz Summit on Agriculture

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VGCC to hold Small Business Summit focused on Agriculture

Vance-Granville Community College will present the 9th Annual Small Business Summit, entitled “Ag Alternatives & Legacy Farms,” on Thursday, May 20, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

This event will provide attendees with a day of agriculture education and information sharing, including discussions of niche farming, agritourism and farm modernization, led by a diverse group of successful farmers and business owners. Attendees will also learn about agriculture-related grants and financing options.

The event will be held outside, at Seven Springs Farms and Vineyards (332 Axtell Ridgeway Road, Norlina, NC), and all CDC-recommended social distancing and mask protocols will be followed.

Attendance is free of charge to the first 50 people to register. Lunch is included with registration and will be provided by The Meat Up Spot, a regional food truck (a vegetarian option will be available).

“Agriculture is an important part of our local economy, with many of our small businesses being involved in food and farming, so we are excited to focus on this sector,” said Tanya S. Weary, VGCC’s Dean of Business & Industry Solutions.

Derrick Jackson of Grass Grazed Farm in Durham will serve as the keynote speaker, discussing “A New Farming Model.” Jackson and his wife, Paige, operate a 60-acre farm, where they focus on sustainable pastured livestock, ethical practices and regenerative agriculture.

Other sessions include a panel on “High Tunnel Production,” led by N.C. Cooperative Extension including Dean’s Greens Farm, Rocky Ridge Farms and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; “Land of Opportunity: Heir Property, Startups, and Finding Your Niche” with Patrick Brown of Brown Family Farms/Hempfinity; a session on “Agritourism, Partnerships and Building Community,” featuring Seven Springs Farms & Vineyards and Lake Gaston Outfitters; and a presentation on “Finding Resources: Cost-Share, Grants, and Financing Your Agribusiness.”

The event is hosted by the VGCC Small Business Center, with co-sponsors including Warren County Economic Development, The Meat Up Spot, Sweet Delights, Grass Grazed, and Seven Springs Farms & Vineyards.

The deadline to register is May 10. For more information, contact Small Business Center Director Sheri Jones at joness@vgcc.edu.

Register Here — https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=530410026

(This text above is a VGCC Press Release.)

Audio of The Local Skinny! for 4-15-21

Bike Ride and Chicken Plates to Benefit Families

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Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame has provided WIZS News with a one-sheet flyer explaining there is a “benefit bike ride for the families of Captain Michael Davis and Trooper Brent Montgomery” coming up.

All bikers are invited.

May 1 is the date, and the Roses Parking Lot on Norlina Road/North Garnett Street is the place.  Register from 12 noon until 2 p.m.  Kickstands up at 2:30 p.m.

$10 per bike.

All proceeds from the bike ride, and the previously promoted BBQ chicken plate sale put on by Henderson-Vance First Responders, will be presented to the Davis and Montgomery Families.

Brame wrote on the flyer, “Let’s come together and show our love and support for these two families.”

As a reminder, the BBQ chicken plate event on Friday, April 30th is being handled by advanced sale of tickets.  Brame said on the flyer, “If you are interested in purchasing a benefit plate, donations are $10 and tickets must be purchased prior to April 16.”

Some additional contacts who have tickets, in addition to others you may have seen published or heard about previously, include Howard Anderson at 252.915.9288 or Eddie Hicks at 252.204.6040.

New Solid Waste Site Open on Warrenton Rd.

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As County Manager Jordan McMillen explained in an email to WIZS News, work at Vance County’s newest solid waste site on Warrenton Road has wrapped up.  He said the final punch list inspections were completed last week.

And the target date for opening the new site of today, April 14, was met.

McMillen wrote, “This site is located directly adjacent to the old site and the new site will offer additional space located further off of the road and includes a paved area surrounding the solid waste collection compactor.”

Green For Life (GFL) operates all of the county’s convenience sites by way of contract.

Last week Commission Board Chairman Dan Brummitt and Commissioner Archie Taylor took a ribbon cutting photo at the site alongside representatives from GFL.

Those in the photo from left to right include: Spencer Pernell – Operations Supervisor GFL; Chairman Dan Brummitt; Commissioner Archie Taylor – represents District 2 where the site is located; Randy Deming – General Manager GFL.

$5K to Warren County Animal Ark to Save Lives

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Warren County Animal Control and Animal Ark has received a $5,000 grant from a national foundation to support its work to adopt pets and reduce animal euthanasia rates.

Petco Love, a non-profit organization established in 1999, awarded the grant to the county’s animal control agency.

“We are so grateful for Petco Love’s investment that will allow us to continue our spay/neuter programs,” said Director Dani Bowen. “These programs have made it possible for our citizens to be able to receive these services at an affordable rate,” Bowen said. The gift also will benefit the agency’s new Community Cat Program, which offers affordable surgery to residents with cats in need on their property, she added.

Since 1999, Petco Love (formerly Petco Foundation) has given close to $300 million to more than 4,000 shelters and organizations to support adoption and other lifesaving efforts. More than 6.5 million pets have been adopted through partnership with Petco.

In a statement to WIZS News, Petco Love President Susanne Kogut said the grants given are proof of its commitment “to create a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized.”

Warren County Animal Control oversees the Animal Ark, and offers one-year rabies vaccinations, microchipping and adoptions. The agency also has spay and neuter programs that provide surgery at free or reduced rates. The agency works with many rescue organizations to save hard-to-place, sick or injured and pregnant/nursing dogs and cats.

For more information about Warren County Animal Control and Animal Ark and its spay and neuter services, visit warrencountync.gov or call 252.257.6137. To learn more about Petco Love, visit petcolove.org